Episode 304. To the Iris Guild (2)

• It feels really strange being here after so long.

“I think so too.”

It was a morning filled with warm sunlight.

I waited for Alice in front of her house.

Around my neck hung a silver chain necklace embedded with a red jewel; it was Liliana, transformed into a necklace by the magic of the Underworld.

Using the magic of the Underworld, she was communicating with me in a voice unheard by others.

• Are we riding a plane? I’ve never ridden one before.

“Since it’s a plane with an owner, you need to behave. You’re a Succubus, so if you get caught, you’ll be dissected on the spot.”

• I know that much, you know? Do you take me for a fool?

Of course, Liliana’s transformation magic is so high-level that it’s hard even for me to notice.

Probably, as long as I don’t act recklessly, there’s no need to worry about getting caught.

• Yesterday, Dahee said she wants to eat French baguettes. She wants to compare the taste with the ones from the bakery near our house.

“Really? I’ll have to remember that.”

Nam Daeun and Nam Dahee headed to the Academy together.

From the Ironblood Guild, they said they’d gather at the Academy.

Fortunately, the Ironblood Guild’s experience allowed us to return home every day when it ended, so there was no risk of leaving Nam Dahee alone.

Actually, even if it wasn’t Nam Dahee, leaving Nam Daeun and Nam Dahee alone without me would be unsettling, but Nam Daeun has become as strong as me, so there’s probably no need to worry too much.

I just told them to train a bit without much thought, but it turns out they spend all their time at the training grounds, except for when they’re home.

Why do they listen to me so well?

• So yesterday, Daeun and Dahee…

“Wait a moment. It opened.”

As we chatted and time passed, the mansion’s gate opened.

As I went inside, I saw Alice waiting in the yard.

Even though it’s the house right next door, it looks somehow nicer.

Is this the power of garden maintenance? Maybe I should assign garden duty to Liliana, who has nothing to do.

“You’re here?”

Alice had her eyes fixed on her smartwatch in the middle of the yard, and I approached her.

“Hi. Is your body feeling any better?”

“…Body? Ah, yeah. I’m in good condition. I can definitely feel myself getting better.”

Every time I get used to mana and become stronger, the effect of the mana massage increases tremendously.

Actually, I initially planned for the long term, but perhaps treatment might be possible soon.

Of course, since it’s not good for things to happen too quickly, I’ll adjust accordingly.

“You’re here now. You’re late.”

“What?”

Rumble-rumble-

As I questioned her words, a large shadow fell around Alice.

When I lifted my head, a small airplane was landing in the yard.

Movies always show dirt flying everywhere, but this plane had mana processing, so it landed cleanly.

It was smaller than the private jets you usually imagine, and rather resembled a fighter jet.

Anyway, since it’s a system for magical travel, the exterior probably doesn’t matter much.

“Get in.”

Alice tucked her hair back and skillfully grabbed the plane’s handle to climb aboard.

“… Cool.”

• I know, right? It’s cool. And it looks really fast.

“Not the plane, I meant Alice.”

I followed Alice onto the plane.

The interior wasn’t that spacious, but it wasn’t cramped either; it was a comfortably adequate size.

Moreover, the seats are softer than my bed at home.

How expensive must this be.

“… This plane is amazing.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I’ve never ridden one before.”

“Hmm.”

Alice looked at her smartwatch and nodded.

She tried to hide her expression, but the slight upturn of her lips was clearly caught by my eyes.

“Sebastian. Please depart. Ah, this is my secretary.”

“Nice to meet you, Cadet Lee Hoyeon. My name is Sebastian.”

“Yes. Hello. Please take care of me.”

For reference, this old man has tailed me before.

Even so, seeing him speak so shamelessly, he must be a professional.

I should learn that shameless attitude too. I’m too nice, it’s difficult.

Vroom-

• Oh, oh? It’s flying. It’s flying!

Soon, the plane in the air began to fly smoothly.

*

“We have arrived. Have a pleasant journey.”

“Thanks.”

“Thank you.”

We landed on an empty lot belonging to the Iris Guild, and right next door stood the Guild’s main building.

For a mere information guild, the fact that they openly solicit business like this shows the capability of Guild Master Isaac.

• What the? Is this it? It’s so small?

I looked straight ahead, listening to Liliana’s voice echoing in my head.

Indeed, the building was only five stories tall.

Of course, the ornate exterior and the neat, sophisticated decorations were cool, but it lacked impact for a leading guild in France.

I’d usually expect something more dazzling.

“Follow me. Let’s go inside.”

“Yeah. But is this the main building?”

“It is.”

“It’s smaller than I thought? I heard you have a lot of guild members.”

Only after blurting it out without thinking, I wondered if there might be some significant circumstance I didn’t know about.

But Alice answered without any negative reaction.

“Ah. The real one is underground. What’s above ground is just a decoy.”

“Underground? Why did you build it underground?”

“It’s easier to defend against attacks that way.”

“….”

As expected, this is a scary world.

I followed Alice and approached the building.

There were guards throughout the building, and the one at the main entrance snapped to attention and saluted as soon as he saw Alice.

“Greetings! Miss!”

“Did you rest well! Hey! Miss Alice is entering!”

“Yeah. It’s been a while.”

Indeed, it was a welcome befitting the heir of the Iris Guild.

Everyone who passed by greeted Alice respectfully, and Alice nodded, accepting their greetings as if it were natural.

After passing through the first-floor lobby when the crowd thinned a bit, I casually spoke to Alice.

“What do I do now?”

If it were someone else, they’d meet hunters and at least receive an explanation about the experience, but I didn’t come for that.

I want to meet a centaur quickly. I have more than one thing to do.

“What else. Follow me.”

“Where to?”

“The fifth floor. We have to go see the Guild Master.”

“… I figured as much, right?”

That person is a bit scary.

“Ah. Miss Alice. The Guild Master is currently out.”

“… What? I’m here, and he’s out?”

“He won’t be gone long. In the meantime, why don’t you look around the Guild with Cadet Lee Hoyeon.”

“That’s strange. I definitely told him I was coming today.”

Alice furrowed her brow.

Perhaps her father, Isaac, being absent when she arrived was bothering her.

Ring- ring-

Just then, an alarm rang from Alice’s smartwatch.

Alice looked at her smartwatch, glanced at me, and said.

“… I’ll take this call for a moment.”

“Uh-huh. Take your time.”

Click-clack-

After Alice disappeared somewhere, Liliana’s voice echoed again.

• Phew, she’s finally gone.

“… Why were you quiet? You could have spoken.”

• Then you wouldn’t be able to answer!

I muttered quietly so Sebastian, standing behind me, couldn’t hear.

Alice left, so why isn’t that guy leaving too?

“Cadet Lee Hoyeon.”

“Yes?”

Just then, as if he read my mind, Sebastian spoke to me.

“While Miss Alice is away, I will give you a tour of the Guild.”

“Uh, I’ll just wait. She’ll be back soon.”

A Guild tour is appreciated, but I wonder why?

Besides, it would be enough to walk around with Alice.

“You don’t need to refuse. We have a Guild guide. Scarlet?”

“No, it’s not that I’m refusing…?”

I tried to refuse Sebastian’s push for this nonsensical Guild tour as politely as possible, but upon hearing a familiar name, I shut my mouth.

• Scarlet? Didn’t you just say Scarlet?

Tap- tap-

As Liliana’s voice echoed in my head, a woman walked over from the lobby.

A white shirt, a miniskirt, and black stockings.

She wore glasses, making her intellectual image stand out.

Light lip gloss and sophisticated, elegant earrings.

She was the picture of a perfect office beauty.

Is this what they mean when they say people change depending on their position?

The Scarlet I met at the Iris Guild was completely different from her usual image.

She gave off the vibe of a true professional among professionals.

“Nice to meet you. I am Scarlet of the Iris Guild. I’ve been assigned to guide Cadet Lee Hoyeon today.”

“… Yes. Nice to meet you.”

“Is it okay if I help with today’s tour?”

“Please do.”

• What the? Why did Scarlet become so pretty?

‘I know, right.’

I stopped myself from saying it aloud, biting my lips.

Still, seeing Scarlet speak like that, she didn’t seem like she’d harm me.

Since I don’t know when Alice will be back, maybe I should follow her.

*

At that time, in a corner of the first-floor lobby.

“Dad, what’s up?”

Alice sat on a chair in the lobby, crossed her legs, and answered the incoming call.

The caller was Isaac.

The Guild Master of the Iris Guild and her father.

Why is this person contacting me separately after saying he was busy?

Alice answered Isaac’s call with a question in mind.

• My daughter. I’m sorry. Dad is a little right now…

Clang- CRASH-

Grind-

Screeeech-

• Busy! I couldn’t even see my daughter’s face right away. Actually, I don’t know when I’ll arrive.

“… It’s okay. I know you’re busy. But why did you call?”

Alice calmed her frustration, listening to the sounds of intense combat heard through the phone.

Just hearing his urgent voice made him seem busy, so I couldn’t say anything.

Her father wasn’t the type to lie about something like this.

• You came with Lee Hoyeon today, didn’t you? I was thinking maybe we could get him contracted with the Iris Guild this time.

“Huh? …Why?”

‘Why?’ Someone like him is the perfect talent for the Iris Guild. I thought you, who spent time with him, would notice that he’s a monster.

“I know that….”

It’s certain that Lee Hoyeon is a monster.

He’s still a cadet, so he’s only famous in Korea, but if he graduates, he’ll encompass the world.

“That won’t be an easy contract. I told you several times, but they were all rejected.”

• Don’t worry. Right now, Scarlet and Sebastian are together, explaining how great an environment the Iris Guild offers.

“Now?”

• Yeah…! No, this crazy monster bastard… Hoo, sorry. I’ll contact you when this work is roughly done. I think I can probably come tomorrow.

“… Okay.”

• Then I’ll meet Lee Hoyeon too, so please tell him. I love you. My daughter, Alice.

Beep-

Alice looked at her smartwatch after the call ended and sighed deeply.

This time too, I couldn’t say it.

The words I wanted to say: that I wanted to join the Centaur operation.

Perhaps because I was overprotected since I was young, I can’t speak confidently even in this situation.

Honestly, my first real battle is a little frightening.

Alice clicked her tongue, ‘Tsk.’, and got up from her seat.

The Guild tour my father mentioned.

Having seen that foolish act since childhood, Alice smiled, thinking about what Lee Hoyeon must be going through.

‘Let’s go watch quickly.’

It’s a rare and amusing sight.

The kind-hearted Lee Hoyeon won’t be able to refuse and will see it through to the end.

Alice hurried back to where everyone was.